Whoopie pie may become Maine state treat

AUGUSTA, Maine — Even though it’s Valentine’s Day, not all lawmakers are in love with whoopie pies as Maine’s state dessert.

But the State and Local Government Committee gave its divided consent to a bill that would make whoopie pies the official state “treat.”

Lawmakers were urged to act before Pennsylvania tries to gobble up credit for the chocolate cakes oozing with creamy white frosting. Eight members of the committee voted to recommend passage of an amended bill making whoopies the state treat, while four voted to reject the bill altogether.

Supporters want to draw attention to a product they say has deep nostalgic as well as culinary roots in Maine, where one bakery alone turns out 100,000 whoopie pies a day.